After upsetting second seed Aryna Sabalenka, 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez became the youngest Grand Slam finalist at the US Open 2021 since Maria Sharapova’s 2004 Wimbledon run. However, hours later, the 18-year-old Emma Raducanu took Fernandez’s record after defeating 17th seed Maria Sakkari in the semifinals. An all-teenage battle will transpire for this year’s American Grand Slam title, the youngest final since 1999.
Furthermore, Raducanu also became the first-ever player in tennis history to reach a major final as a qualifier. Interestingly, she stunned the hard-hitting Sakkari in straight sets 6-1, 6-4. With her incredible result, she made tennis fans go berserk on Twitter.
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Watch this story: Breathtaking Tennis From 18-Year-Old Sensation at Us Open 2021
From three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray‘s mother and coach Judy Murray to Kim Clijsters, Greg Rusedski, Nicole Gibbs, and Timea Bacsinszky reacted to her historic win. Even the official account of Billie Jean King Cup praised her run in New York.
It said, “Dream debut. All the way from qualifying, 18-year-old Emma Raducanu continues the fairytale with a trip to the USOpen final!”
Dream debut 👊🇬🇧
All the way from qualifying, 18-year-old @EmmaRaducanu continues the fairytale with a trip to the #USOpen final! pic.twitter.com/TTTzkh3wx7
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) September 10, 2021
Judy Murray and others congratulate Emma Raducanu after US Open 2021 SF victory
Firstly, the former British No.1 Greg Rusedski opened up on Raducanu‘s dominance over Sakkari. In addition to that, he made some bold predictions on the young Great Britain professional.
Rusedski tweeted, “Didn’t see this coming with Emma Raducanu. Thought this was going to be a tight and tough match. At the moment very onesided. This looks like the performance of someone who is going to be a world number 1 and multiple grand slam champion. Wow!”
Didn't see this coming with @EmmaRaducanu. Thought this was going to be a tight and tough match. At the moment very onesided. This looks like the performance of someone who is going to be a world number 1 and multiple grand slam champion. Wow!
— Greg Rusedski (@GregRusedski1) September 10, 2021
Following him, Judy Murray reacted on the 18-year-old becoming the first qualifier to play for a Grand Slam title. Accordingly, she bestowed on her the phrase that has been long used for 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams. Judy wrote, “Tennis Queen. Incredible achivement.”
Teen Queen 🌟. Incredible achievement. 👏💪👍💥 https://t.co/rtOY9yJaqe
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) September 10, 2021
Moreover, the retired Swiss professional Timea Bacsinszky reflected on the coming of the age battle between Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez. Also, since she is also a commentator for the event, she expressed her gratitude.
Bacsinszky said, “How beautiful is it to see these 2 young and amazing players play the US Open Final !!! Well done Leylah Fernandez & Emma Raducanu! Looking so much forward for your Final on Saturday ! and I’m feeling so lucky to comment it on TV!”
How beautiful is it to see these 2 young and amazing players play the @usopen Final !!! Well done @leylahfernandez & @EmmaRaducanu ! 🥳🥳🥳 Looking so much forward for your Final on Saturday ! @WTA and I’m feeling so lucky to comment it on TV ! ✌🏻 @RTSsport
— Timea Bacsinszky (@TimeaOfficial) September 10, 2021
Additionally, the former World No.1 Kim Cljisters also showed her appreciation. She wrote, “What an amazing performance from Emma Raducanu.” Besides, the retired American Nicole Gibbs called the 18-year-old “a freakin assassin.”
What an amazing performance from @EmmaRaducanu !! ❤️
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) September 10, 2021
Raducanu is a freakin assassin 👀
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) September 10, 2021
Also Read: Emma Raducanu’s Nationality, Ethnicity and Her Connections with Romania and China
Tennis tennis showing Raducanu more love
English former field hockey player, Samantha Ann Quek, was also inspired by the teenager’s incredible performance in New York. Notably, Raducanu has come up as a qualifier and hasn’t dropped a single set in the tournament.
Sam wrote, “WOW! WOW! WOW! Emma Raducanu. US Open finalist finalist AT 18!!! AS A QUALIFIER!!! Not one set dropped en route to the final…”
Not one set dropped en route to the final… 💥💪🏻🙌🏼🎾 pic.twitter.com/hC2n0gTSrC
— Sam Quek (@SamanthaQuek) September 10, 2021
Besides these, there are some other notable tweets from tennis twitter.
Wow ! Wow! Wow ! U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E @EmmaRaducanu British teenager into the @usopen FINAL 1st qualifier EVER do that – stunning just stunning beats Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-4 Amazing – it’s a film script you’d barely believe 🤯🤯🤯🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ZlZmBbXyie
— Jacquie Beltrao (@SkyJacquie) September 10, 2021
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My eyes failed as the AMAZING @EmmaRaducanu was succeeding!! Saturday, 9pm. I’m there! (In front of the telly not NYC that would be nice though!) https://t.co/oZyFZLx0SL
— Gethin Jones 💙 (@GethincJones) September 10, 2021
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Undeniably, the stage is set for the two youngsters to realise their dream on Saturday. Indeed, one of them will become the US Open 2021 champion and will join the list of great names in tennis history.
So, who are you going to support in the final?